The Salisbury Viaduct is just one of the many engineering marvels along the 150 mile-long Great Allegheny Passage, the longest multi-use rail trail in Pennsylvania.
Visited by thousands of hikers, bikers, sightseers, and photographers every year, the Salisbury Viaduct continues to impress people nearly 110 years after it was first built.
Salisbury Viaduct FAQs
The Salisbury Viaduct is located just off of the Mason-Dixon Highway (or old 219 to locals) near Meyersdale, PA.
Yes! There is a large, unpaved lot located along Johnnypopper Road, approximately 150 yards from the southern end of the viaduct.
Yes – use GPS coordinates 39.83133, -79.03996.
The first train crossed the Salisbury Viaduct in 1912.
101 feet tall.
1,908 feet long!
At least 7 men died during the construction of this massive steel railroad bridge.
It was abandoned as a rail through-route in 1975.
The Casselman River.
Yes! CSX Transportation still operates freight cars on the tracks below the Salisbury Viaduct, making it a popular destination for “trainspotters”. 
Yes – there is a small cemetery near the northern end of the Salisbury Viaduct.
Yes – there are benches at either end of the viaduct.
The path from the parking area to the viaduct is gravel and/or crushed stone. The walking/biking surface of the viaduct itself is smooth concrete.
Yes indeed!
Again – yes!
The viaduct is approximately 10 miles northwest of the Big Savage Tunnel, as the crow flies.
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The viaduct is approximately 24 miles southeast of Ohiopyle State Park, as the crow flies.
As with most of the Great Allegheny Passage, the viaduct is maintained by local volunteers. You can read more about the Allegheny Trail Alliance on their official website.
Related Attractions
Kinzua Bridge State Park is home to what was, when it was built, the longest and tallest railroad bridge in the world!
Hit by a tornado in 2003, the Kinzua Viaduct was reborn as the 600 foot-long Kinzua Skywalk, which enables visitors to walk out to a vantage point 200 feet above the Kinzua Creek Gorge.
Nearby Attractions
As mentioned briefly, the Big Savage Tunnel is another engineering marvel along the Great Allegheny Passage, near mile marker 23.
This 3,294 foot long tunnel is located near the Deal trailhead of the Great Allegheny Passage, and for those simply looking for a quick day trip you’ll find a map/directions to parking HERE.
The Mason and Dixon Line Park is a small but educational park at the southernmost point of the Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania.
Surveyed to settle a land dispute between two prominent English colonial families (the Penns and the Calverts), the Mason-Dixon line later became famous as the line between free and slave states prior to the Civil War.
The Great Allegheny Passage also passses through Ohiopyle State Park, one of western Pennsylvania’s finest waterfall parks!
Connellsville in neighboring Fayette County is another trailhead along the Great Allegheny Passage.
It is also home to a few outstanding waterfalls, one being Robinson Falls, which has ties to a young George Washington!
Also while in Connellsville, check out East Park Falls in the heart of downtown.
Hippie Shower Falls is located along the Great Allegheny Passage between mile markers 85 and 86, just south of Connellsville.
If mountain vistas are your thing, be sure to check out “The 14 Best Scenic Overlooks in the Laurel Highlands” for directions to ALL the best views in the area!
Exploring Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County will introduce you to some of the best things to see and do at this iconic Laurel Highlands destination.
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